Help Finding a Cheap Pre-amp

[wiak2]

I have a Rega P1, Epos Els3 speakers, and just got a good deal on a Kenwood KM-209 power amp. I need a pre amp for about $100 because that's all I have left budgeted for this. Any suggestions?

 

[jamie2112]

I have a Rega P1, Epos Els3 speakers, and just got a good deal on a Kenwood KM-209 power amp. I need a pre amp for about $100 because that's all I have left budgeted for this. Any suggestions?

I have been looking for months for a decent pre and you are gonna have a hard time finding one for 100 bucks. Good luck hope you find one

 

[Nomo]

Your best bet may be to check Ebay for a used receiver with pre-outs.
Pre-amps, while arguably superior to receivers, are a bit of a niche market product. And the price tag on them reflects that.

A hundred bucks won't buy much.

 

[TRT]

Hit the pavement. Check stores for scratch and dent sales, demo's that our slightly outdated, and store employees that have units they own and want to sell so they can upgrade. Good luck.

 

[gus6464]

Denon DRA-297 $140
http://www.dakmart.com/search.php?keyword=dra-297

Audiosource Pre One/A $135
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Audiosource-Pre-One-A-Stereo-Preamplifer-PreOneA_W0QQitemZ220242935432QQcmdZViewItem

 

[wiak2]

Thanks guys for the advice and suggestions. I'll look around and see what looks good.

 

[gus6464]

Thanks guys for the advice and suggestions. I'll look around and see what looks good.

I too have been looking around for a cheap preamp and that Denon was the cheapest I could find, although it's technically a stereo receiver but it's not like it matters.

That's a nice budget setup you got going there by the way. It looks a lot like the one I started out with in my 2ch system which consists/ed of the older Rega Planar 2, Epos ELS-3 (still have them in my closet), and a really old Sony receiver I had from my first 5.1 system. BTW I noticed you didn't list a phono preamp for the Rega so if you don't have one that Denon is going to be your best bet since it has a MM phono input. What cartridge do you have on the Rega P1?

 

[wire]

I have a Rega P1, Epos Els3 speakers, and just got a good deal on a Kenwood KM-209 power amp. I need a pre amp for about $100 because that's all I have left budgeted for this. Any suggestions?

Maybe look @ a Carver Pre on Ebay , once and a while they go cheap . C 1's go cheap and so do CT 7's . Both a a fine pre for 2 channel .

 

[WmAx]

You can get Adcom pre-amps for $80-$150 on eBay. Adcom pre-amps are made to very high standards, but the ones from the late 80's to early 90's mostly have little to no resale value, making it a great deal for people wanting a great deal.

Here are 3 with a BUY IT NOW price within your price range.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ADCOM-GTP-350-TUNER-PREAMP_W0QQitemZ360072930211QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360072930211

http://cgi.ebay.com/Adcom-GTP-400_W0QQitemZ280250643327QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280250643327

http://cgi.ebay.com/Adcom-GTP-500-GTP500-PreAmplifier-PreAmp-Tuner-SWEET_W0QQitemZ150276314597QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150276314597

-Chris

 

[Seth=L]

The GTP-500 is nice looking, it's the only white Adcom product I have ever seen.

My dad has an Adcom preamp, and he's never had any problems with it. It's a very solid feeling and operating product, far above the likes of Audiosource and any other new garbage at these prices.

 

[wire]

I have a Rega P1, Epos Els3 speakers, and just got a good deal on a Kenwood KM-209 power amp. I need a pre amp for about $100 because that's all I have left budgeted for this. Any suggestions?

I seen a C 11 ( its a newer version of the C 1 , in Black ) by Carver on Ebay , watch it , if you can get for good price .
The Phono stage on the C 1 , C 11 , C 16 , are very good .
http://cgi.ebay.com/CARVER-C-11-SONIC-HOLOGRAPHY-PREAMPLIFIER-PREAMP_W0QQitemZ360074592221QQihZ023QQcategoryZ12050QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Carver-C-1-Sonic-Holography-Stereo-Preamplifier_W0QQitemZ160266190482QQihZ006QQcategoryZ67807QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[gus6464]

I seen a C 11 ( its a newer version of the C 1 , in Black ) by Carver on Ebay , watch it , if you can get for good price .
The Phono stage on the C 1 , C 11 , C 16 , are very good .
http://cgi.ebay.com/CARVER-C-11-SONIC-HOLOGRAPHY-PREAMPLIFIER-PREAMP_W0QQitemZ360074592221QQihZ023QQcategoryZ12050QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Carver-C-1-Sonic-Holography-Stereo-Preamplifier_W0QQitemZ160266190482QQihZ006QQcategoryZ67807QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What's sonic holography?

 

[DaveHo]

If I only had one source, I'd take a serious look at this: http://www.luminousaudio.com/axiomrca.php

Nevermind, you need something with the phono input.

-Dave

 

[wire]

What's sonic holography?

What it does is cancels the crosstalk electroniclly gives you a larger soundstage and if setup properly , will make the speakers disappear ( only works in 2 channel setup ) .
The New Sunfire Pre's come with the feature also .
I run SDA on one system and sonic hologram on 2 systems in my house and my car system also .
I like the feature .
Also , SH can vary in the Pre's , I like the SH in the CT 7 ( a newer pre designed by Bob himself ) . The C 1 , 11 and 16 are better because of no floor noise .
Again that C 1 and C 11 is unreal for a turntable , 2 phono cart. inputs ( Moving magnet and moving coil , with 3 settings for moving magnet )